Specialized S-Works Roubaix - 1,500 Mile Review


Third Fourth time is the charm.  After trying three different Roubaix models over the last 5 years, I finally found the one I really like.

2018 Specialized S-Works Roubaix has become my favorite bike.  It has a perfect balance between speed and comfort. 

It is very easy to live with.  It goes fast when you push it.  It feels very light.  It is to get going.  It rolls nicely when you want to go slow.  It climbs well without punishing you.  It descends really nicely too.

Compare Roubaix with my Pinarello Dogma K8s Disc.  Pinarello is more aerodynamic.  It absolutely flies when pushed.  It descends with unmatched precision.  It feels like a race bike.  However, it fights you when want to go slow.  It is harder to get going in a more comfortable tempo.  It begs you to go fast,  which is good for many days, but if you want alternating paces, Roubaix is clearly the bike of choice!

My 2018 S-Works Roubaix has Shimano Ultegra Di2 8070 groupset with Roval SLX 24 wheels.  It took me a little while to get used to electronic shifting, but I love it now.

I was pretty apprehensive about the future shock at first, thinking it is a complete marketing gimmick, especially after disliking and eventually replacing the Cobble Gobbler seat post on my old Roubaix.  But after 1,500 miles and hundreds of thousands feet of climbing, I can attest that it works, it smoothes out the road significantly and has a very negligible impact when climbing.

What's interesting is that 2018 S-Works Roubaix feels completely different from 2018 Specialized Roubaix Expert with same components and 2017 Specialized Roubaix Comp with similar components.  I had both.  I kind of liked both.  But they felt heavier and less nimble.



2015 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Disc was a thing of a beauty, but definitely heavier, harder to climb with and harder to get going with.

2018 S-Works Roubaix feels very different.  It is an amazing all around bike for me, and XL rider.  I look forward to many years, mile, and feet of adventure with this bike!





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